Marnie also develops business plans, marketing strategies,
financial projections, & proposals for Internet projects.
Her plans and strategies have garnered clients an average
of $100,000 each in seed capital.

Marnie lives on a Georgia
farm with her husband and their six
children.

SUCCESSFUL NET NETWORKING

In my last article, 5 Ways to Build Web
Traffic, I touched on the topic of networking on-line in
order to establish yourself as an expert in your field and
eventually build traffic to your Web site. In that article I
pointed you to some places where you could network on-line such as chat
forums, maillists, e-zines, etc.

But, to be truly successful as a networker, you
need to do more than just "talk-it-up online" and be in
the right places. Networking is a whole philosophy of doing
business. It's all about "what goes around comes
around" and "sowing and reaping."

The following are some basic beliefs of
successful networkers that I've known over my years in business.
I call these the characteristics of "true networkers:"

They sincerely care about others and
keep their eyes open for opportunities where they can
collaborate, team up, and cross promote with other professionals.

They are free with their advice and
post answers to questions that others ask on mail-lists, newsgroups,
message boards and chat forums. They do this in such a way
that it doesn't feel like an overt sales pitch to those who read
their comments.

They have an open mind and see possibilities
that others don't or can't. They see the potential in helping to build
others up, and thus build themselves up in the process.

They are teachable. They like to get to
know about other professions and learn how to view their business
from new perspectives. Every industry has its standard way of
operating and marketing. By associating with people in various
industries, they learn to see new ways of marketing and managing
their business that may not be typical for their industry.

They believe there's plenty to go around.
A scarcity mentality is foreign to a true networker. Someone with
a scarcity mentality believes that there are a finite number of resources,
a finite number of ideas, a finite amount of money to be earned, and
a finite number of talents given out to humans at birth. A true networker
believes the opposite - there's plenty to go around and the more
you give, the more you get in return.

They have an attitude of trust and
trustworthiness. I'm not saying they're gullible or naive. They
make associations wisely, surround themselves with good people,
and then trust them to do their part. You have to trust someone to
refer them to another person. After all, it's a reflection on you when
you make a recommendation. Trust, but trust wisely.

The Internet is a networker's paradise. Never
in the history of humankind has it been so easy to share ideas,
information, and leads with people around the world. Networking
has never been easy for those who don't want to spend the time on
it. But the virtual arena leverages your time investment by
making your ideas and strategies available to thousands with only
a few keystrokes.

As you become more involved on-line, try to
incorporate the beliefs of true networkers, and on-line success
is sure to follow.